Fired officer files wrongful termination suit

Fired officer files wrongful termination suit

Actions in probe led to dismissal

LAFAYETTE — A former Duson police officer who was fired amid questions of his investigation into the disappearance of 15-year-old Keiosha Marie Felix filed a lawsuit Monday seeking damages from the town for wrongful termination.

The Duson Board of Aldermen voted 3 to 2 on Oct. 9 to fire police Lt. Gerald Credeur, who led the investigation into the April disappearance of Felix.

Authorities have yet to find the girl.

Four people were arrested in the case earlier this year on charges that included kidnapping and rape, but 15th Judicial District Attorney Mike Harson opted not to prosecute, characterizing the evidence as “unsubstantiated hearsay.”

Duson Police Chief Frank Andrew accused Credeur of improper arrests, giving false testimony and making an illegal search and seizure during the investigation.

The lawsuit, filed in 15th Judicial District Court, alleges that Credeur was terminated “unfairly” and punished for an investigation that was “sanctioned by the chief of police.”

Andrew did not return a call to his office Monday afternoon, but the chief told the Board of Aldermen in October that he did not closely supervise Credeur’s work in the investigation.

“Whatever he did, I took his word on it, and it turned out not to be so well,” Andrew said at the time.

Felix was in the state’s custody and was last seen leaving her aunt’s home in the Duson area while on a weekend pass from the state.

The Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office has taken the lead in investigating the case, but there have been few significant developments in recent weeks, Sheriff’s Office spokesman Capt. Kip Judice said Monday.